For the past four weeks, we’ve been establishing rhythms and trying to find a balance between work and play and rest.

I’ve been studying some Psalms and I’m inspired by David, by how he kept turning to God, kept trusting His timing and His ways. In the face of trouble and suffering, David continued to cry out to God and recall His character.

Distractions are all around. The to-do list never ends. Life becomes an overwhelming blur if we’re not present in each moment. Attempting to move faster from one thing to the next results in a dizzying pace that can’t be sustained.

Frantic doesn’t bring freedom, and burdens have a tendency to weigh you down.

The enemy’s schemes are targeted, and his flaming arrows are intentional. But he’s not God.

God is the One who made me; He knows me best. He’s on the throne and He’s in my heart and He’s all around. And He’s victorious over the enemy.

God has been encouraging me to pray, to engage in constant conversation with Him. To show up fully in my relationship with Him.

• To return to my First Love when I forget to put Him first.
• To refocus when I begin to lose sight of the One I’m pursuing.
• To recenter on Him when my universe starts to revolve around me.
• To recalculate when I stray from the straight and narrow path.
• To recalibrate when my standard isn’t the Word of God.

This is the beauty of His grace, the gift of the Gospel. He doesn’t require my perfection; He knows I’m human, prone to wander and forget. And yet, He keeps inviting me back. He just wants me, my heart, my mind, my time. Through Jesus, God made a way for me to draw near to Him.

And the same is true about you.

When seasons are stressful and circumstances are crushing, we must pause long enough to remember God’s faithfulness (then and now). Recall these truths: you are dearly loved, and you are never alone.

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah” – Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

I want to leave you with a paraphrase I wrote of Psalm 62:8, based on some of the Hebrew definitions: “Trust in God always (confide in Him fully, set your hope and confidence in Him alone, be sure of Him in every season, moment by moment, especially now), dear sisters and brothers. Spill forth your soul, let your emotions gush out, break down the walls of your heart and make space for God to enter in. Give Him your mind and your thoughts. He is our faithful refuge, our safe place, our strong shelter, the One we run to for protection. Pause in His presence, and reflect on His love.”